Remitly Global Inc.

08/01/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/01/2022 02:56

How to Find a Job in France

From Paris to Marseille to Lyon, there are many great French cities where you might want to settle and work. Or, you may have your sights set on smaller communities, perhaps in idyllic rural settings. Wherever you want to settle in the country, there are several ways to find your perfect job in France. This is our quick guide to doing exactly that.

Work Visa Requirements

If you're arriving from a country outside the EU, it's important to be clear on French work visa requirements. The application for a long-stay visa must be made in your country of residence, through the French consular authorities. It's usually the case that your employer in France has to request a work permit on your behalf. You'll then attach the work permit to your visa application.

We have a dedicated guide on applying for French work visas, which considers the different types available. Bear in mind that, if you change job while in France, you may need to change your work/residence permit accordingly.

Finding a French Job Online

You can browse vacancies wherever you are, thanks to online job search sites. A major example is the government-run Pôle Emploi portal. Here, you can look up a huge number of job roles, across a range of sectors. Meanwhile, the main hub for senior managerial roles is Apec.

You can also check out general job search sites like Indeed and Monster, as well as more specialised sites such as:

  • ABG, which is tailored to candidates with PhDs
  • L'Hôtellerie Restauration, for jobs in the restaurant and hospitality sectors
  • Stratégies Emploi, to browse roles in marketing and communications

Competition for jobs tends to be fierce. It's therefore important to ensure your CV or résumé is as good as it can be to have more chances to find a job in France. Make sure you go into enough detail on your previous career experience. You should also present the information in a neat and attractive way.

Free résumé builders are available online. You can even use a professional résumé service. There are many to choose from, including some based in France. Not fluent in French? Try to have your résumé checked over by a native speaker, whether that's a friend or a professional.

Whenever you apply for a job, you should read the advert very closely to be clear on the following:

  • The exact skills the employer is after, so you can tailor your application correctly
  • Whether your application should be sent to an agency, an email address, or through a special website
  • What the closing date is

Recruitment Agencies

While many jobseekers will apply for jobs directly, recruitment agencies should also be considered to help you find a job in France. There are many throughout France, and they can be particularly helpful for newcomers to the country. That's because they provide a highly personalised approach, guiding you towards roles you're best suited to. Recruitment consultants can prepare you for interviews, advising you on what's expected. The best consultants will gather post-interview feedback from employers, so you'll have a better chance of nailing the next one.

You can search for recruitment agencies online, using the French language term cabinets de recrutement. You can then browse the kinds of jobs they list on their websites and get in touch to sign up.

Transferring Within Your Company

Another way to work in France is to move to a local branch of your current organisation. This is made possible through two channels.

If your existing contract with your employer will remain in effect during your transfer, you'll need an intra-company transfer permit. This is known as the salarié détaché ICT. In order to be eligible, you must have held a senior position in the company for at least six months. This permit will only be valid for three years. After this, you'll need to request a new permit to remain in France.

If you're working under a new contract with the French subsidiary of your current company, you'll need a talent passport. You'll need to have worked for your company for at least three months to qualify. Your salary under the French contract will also need to be at least €35,544.60. This permit will allow you to stay in the country for up to four years and can be renewed.

Graduate Programmes

If you're completing your degree or have recently finished a course, you may want to consider graduate training programmes. These tend to last anywhere between one and four years, and are specially designed to prepare you for senior roles.

Graduate programmes tend to be offered by larger organisations, such as financial institutions, law firms, and retail giants. You can browse the latest openings at some of the job search sites we mentioned earlier. You can also look at the websites of prominent companies in France to see if they have pages for such programmes.

Graduate programmes typically offer good salaries and great opportunities for learning and advancement. Unsurprisingly, they tend to attract high-calibre candidates. To be in with a chance, you'll need to do a lot of research into the company. You should also be ready to undergo a number of interviews and even special testing.

Managing Your Salary in France

It's never a thrilling subject to think about, but getting a job in France means you have to consider tax. There are a few important details to know about, such as the tax-free threshold and filing dates. We know it can seem daunting, which is why we've created a one-stop guide to income tax in France. We also provide some simple finance tips for French living here.

You may want to set aside some of your salary to send back to family and friends at home. Perhaps as occasional gifts to mark special occasions or to provide ongoing financial support. Either way, the Remitly app is available to make the process simple and cost-effective. Please visit the homepage, download the Remitly app, or check out our Help Center to get started.

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete or up to date.